Vientiane intro.Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos, is the gateway for most visitors to this small, land-locked Southeast Asian country. Nestled along the Mekong River, the banks of which are popular hang-outs for locals and visitors alike, the city operates at a slow pace. There are two important landmarks in the city: the glittering That Luang Temple and Pratuxai gate, which looks like a miniature Arc de Triomphe of Paris. The city has many French influences from the colonial days, with many old buildings having been re-built and re-furbished. Many have become high-end boutique hotels. The shopping area is the Morning Market, or Talat Sao. Here, visitors can buy everything from silk to silver to knick-knacks. The oldest and only temple not burned down by the Thais is Wat Sisaket. Vientiane hotels tend to be clustered near the Mekong River and along the airport road, with the airport receiving flights from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. Author: Graham Dewe